Dispensing package



June 22, 1943. R. c. RUssELl.

DIsPENsING PACKAG Filed Jan. 2, 1940 INVENToR al fz LlzzsseZZ l TTORNEY Patented June 22, 1943 DISPEN SIN G PACKAGE Ralph C. Russell, Arden, Del., assignor to E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington,

Del., a corporation of Delaware Application January 2, 1940, Serial No. 312,107

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a package comprising a plurality of layers of limp material having a ltough, flexible covering, especially a stack of pliant or lithe paper sheets Wrapped in a nonflbrous cellulosic sheet. More particularly it appertains to a displaying and dispensing package comprising folded tissue paper units, a regenerated cellulose sheet wrapper and an opening device.

' The invention had for an object the production of a package comprising a transparent wrapper and folded tissues which could be easily opened. Another object was to design such a package which could be used to dispense the folded tissues, a tissue at a time. Still another object was to provide regenerated cellulose sheet wrapped stacks of tissue-like material with a readily available opening device. A general advance in fthe art, and other objects which will appear hereinafter, are also contemplated.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view age;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are partial perspective views illustrating stages in the opening of the packof the package;

'ventional size Will be described. These tissues are aboutBl/g x 9% inches, and, to facilitate dispensing from the original package, are folded over from opposite edges 1% and 1% inches, respectively, on lines parallel to the long dimension. 'Ihe resulting unit is 41/2 x 9% inches. In the illustrated package 100 of these tissue paper sheets are stacked in a partial tray and wrapped.

' The resulting package is about 21A, x 4% x 10 inches. A tearing strip approximately Wide and extending lengthwise of the and wrapper, is provided.

inch package Obviously the inthroughout the drawing, in Figure 1 of which a package comprising a stack of tissue sheets I 2, disposed in a cardboard tray I3, are covered with a transparent sheet of regenerated cellulose II.

The cellulosicz sheet, before being wrapped about the partial tray and its contents, is shown in Figure 5. It is Wrapped in such a way that an overlapping seam is formed on the bottom of vention is not limited Ito this particular pack- I age.

Similar characters refer ,yto similar parts the tray. The overlapping edges are shown at I6 and I1 in Figures 5 and 6. The edges of the wrapper at the end of the tray are tucked and folded in a conventional manner, as shown in Figures l, 2, 3 and 4.

The tray I3 has ends, as shown very clearly in Figure 6. In the preferred embodiment most of the sides of the' tray are cut away, as shown in Figure 1. Part of the bottom of the tray may be cut away, if desired.

The opening means comprises a strip of regenerated cellulose I4, adhesively secured to the inside of the wrapper, and, generally, notches or slits I5 approximately 1A; inch long in the wrapper on each side of the ends of the strip. The notches enable the ends of the strip and attached part of the Wrapper to be lifted sufliciently to permit grasping by the lingers.

To open the package it is only necessary to grasp the end of rthe strip or tape and pull it back over the package. The progressive action in opening is shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Since the tearing tape is adhesively secured to the Wrapper, a. strip of -the wrapper of approximately the same size as the tape is torn away in the opening operation. The tear progresses smoothly, leaving clean edges forl the resulting open slit in the top of the package Wrapper.. This opening enables the tissues to be dispensed' Without destroying the general shape and character of the package.

Transparent regenerated cellulose sheet is the preferred wrapping material, but other similar non-fibrous sheet material, such as lowly etheried cellulose (for example, low substituted methyl cellulose and low substituted ethyl cellulose), and lowly esteried cellulose may be satisfactorily employed. The organic solvent soluble type ,cellulose substitution derivatives, such as cellulose ethers and esters (for example, cellulose acetate and ethyl cellulose) are also suitable. Translucent products may be used in some instances. y

Although somewhat less desirable, fibrous sheet such-as paper, glassine paper, etc., suitably impregnated or otherwise treated to provide translucency, may also be utilized for the wrapping.

l If desired,- the sheet wrapping material may be coated or otherwise -treated to render it' water resistant, moistureproof, heat-scalable, etc. It,

formed. A tearing strip on the outside ispraci tical, but not 'so desirable., Preferably the. tear-l -ing strip runs parallel to the grain o'f tearing (i. e., the longitudinal direction of manufacture). l As will be apparent from the drawing, the folded g over end portion bearing the tearing strip is on the outside.

The packaged material may be any limp sheetlike material. Inexpensive paper products such as napkins, handkerchiefs, and the like, are products with which the greatest advantages are obl tained. Preferably the units are stacked in a tray-like receptacle before wrapping, and they may be interleaved to facilitate dispensing. The manner of folding and location of the fold lines may vary, including in addition tothe center folding illustrated in Figure'l, for example, the well known edge folding.l I

Preferably the 'supporting tray is of light cardboard or like still material; Cut-out portions for utilitarian or esthetic purposes, forexample, to facilitate 'viewing and to enhance appearance, may be located in the sides, bottom, etc., so long as the rigidity of the package is not below that necessary to enable wrapping.

It is not necessary that the tray be eut in the design shown in the drawing. Qne or bothy side edges may be cut out in artistic or advertising designs, and may bear attractive printing matter. Generally a portion of thefside is removed. because this permits a better display or exposure of the contents than would be possible with a highsided, high-ended tray coextensive with ve sides ci?v the package.

'I'he manner of sealing the package is relatively and may be colored. It may be located at Aone edge or centrally (as shown in the drawing) of the package, or ,may occupy a position intermediate these places.

The present invention provides for the full,

clear and vattractive display and exposure of an 4article of commerce which depends upon attraetive exposition of its color and tints, freshness of condition, etc., for its salability. '.I'he present package has the advantages both of displaying the product and of providing a convenient receptacle (and method) of dispensing the packaged product a layer ata time until exhausted.

The package is very inexpensive to produce, and serves admirably for the display of the contents. Itl provides an extremely simple, effectiver and satisfactory methodA of opening the wrapper and dispensing the contents without disrupting the package as a whole. All portions of the wrapper other than the narrow dispensing opening remain intact and in place, protecting the contents until exhausted. It eliminates cardboard dispensing unimportant. Adhesives, particularly the heat- 1 sealable type, are satisfactory. Adhesive tape is also suitable. Ordinarily the tray of tissuesis completely enclosed and thel overlapping portionsV of the wrapper sealed together.

The opening tape mayconvenlently be a regenerated cellulose ribbon of the'type disclosed -in U. S.'A. Patent No. 1,406,148 (Brandenberger),

`but other tearing strips, for example, laminated cellulosic ribbons, fibrous or woven materials such as paper strips, fabric ribbons and the like, may be satisfactorily employed. Like the wrapper,

the tape may be of. various non-brous materials.

opening reinforcements in packages of this type.

As many apparently Widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specic embodiments thereof except as deiined in the appended claim.

I claim:

A dispensing package comprising -aV stack of interfolded limp tissue paper sheets in-an elongated rectangular open-topped integral cardboard ltray whose corners delineate the corners` o f the package, the ends of said tray being full and the sides being partly cut away to expose the folded sheets to View, a rectangular transparent regenerated cellulose sheet wrapper therefor ,having a K strip extending longitudinally across the top of the tray, the wrapper having folded, tucked and sealed ends at thelrespective ends of the tray vincluding down-turned exposed tabs extending partway down the ends of the tray, and exposing of the said wrapper and having an end accessible the ends of the tape, said tape being on the inside to permit grasping with the fingers, said tape also -being secured to ithe wrapper with suilicient tenacity to cause shearing outv` of a conterminous section of the Wrapper to provide dispensing aperture across the top of the package when the tape is pulled away from the package.

' RALPH C. R'USSELL. 

